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Jakarta steps up efforts to process toxic e-waste
"People need to know that their old electronics must not be carelessly disposed of as they are considered hazardous and toxic waste."
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Unwanted electronics are seen in a dropbox in Cikini train station in Central Jakarta on Thursday. The Jakarta Environment Agency has installed drop boxes for electronic waste in public spaces and is offering a free of charge pick-up service. (The Jakarta Post/Ricky Yudhistira )
E
nglish teacher Fahry Pradipta once faced the dilemma of what to do with his unusable PlayStation 1 gaming console and his antiquated brick-looking Nokia phone, which lay, gathering dust, atop his wardrobe.
“At first, I didn’t want to get rid of my old electronics because of the sentimental value they possessed. However, they became troublesome over time as they were getting dusty and took up space in my bedroom,” he said.
Fortunately for Fahry, he recently heard about the electronic waste drop boxes that are located across Jakarta. After searching for the one nearest to his office, the 24-year-old disposed of his electronic artifacts.
“Initially, the idea of throwing away my first ever gaming console was disheartening. However, it couldn’t be switched on anymore, so it made more sense to have it recycled into something more useful,” he said.
In a bid to help Jakartans dispose of their old electronics, the Jakarta Environment Agency currently provides 60 e-waste drop boxes throughout the city, up from 53 last year. The boxes, provided since 2017, are installed in public spaces such as Transjakarta bus stops, City Hall, mayor offices and schools.
“The drop boxes are set up to help people who are unsure about what to do with their old, unusable electronics,” the agency’s hazardous and toxic waste management division head Rosa Ambarsari told The Jakarta Post at the agency’s warehouse in Cililitan subdistrict, East Jakarta, recently.
"People need to know that their old electronics must not be carelessly disposed of as they are considered hazardous and toxic waste."
